Too soon?

dsnorrod

dsnorrod

New member
Hey guys. I'm looking for some input from guys around/near/experienceing the same weather as, Cookeville, TN. Right in between Nashville and Knoxville on I-40. I'm starting pressure washing this summer and in order to have all my ducks in a row for advertising, I'm buying my equipment and studying up now. Is there anyone who will be pressure washing in February? I'm only going to do it on the warmer days (40*+) and was wondering if that is shooting too early in the season to get started. I know the chems will take longer in the cold, but I'm willing to deal with that for just a couple of jobs a month this first month or two to help with some bills. Any advice?

Daniel
 
Im actually just south of Knoxville. If you can get work in Feb. I say go for it. 40 deg. is a nominal temperature. 2008 was my first season and this is my first winter. I did a few house washes just before Christmas and scheduled a roof for Spring. It was around 35-40 when I did them.
Other then that its been pretty quite for me. Im just putting together a little marketing plan and getting prepared for the newest memeber of the family to be here soon.
Theres a member of this board from N.C. who comes to Knoxville around Feb. and cleans alot of apt. complexes and they wash everyday.
Not sure what type of work your going for but I hope this helps. Good luck too you.
 
Chris, I'm not so worried about learning. My uncle used to/kinda still pressure washes and he can help me. I'm just wanting to know if it is feasable to expect two or three jobs in Feb to pay for the new equipment payment that month. Thanks though!
 
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If you want it, go get it! :)
 
I started my business almost 9 years ago - in October! Not knowing any better (and not having the advantage of the internet) I worked that first winter three to four days a week and made money from the first house. I learned as I went, but I've always known what clean was and that my wife would not find any humor in my failure.

The average temp in my area in the winter is somewhere in the mid to upper 40's. With no advertising budget other than a yard sign that I would move from house to house, I would "cruise" nice neighborhoods looking for a) dirty houses and b) dirty houses with the homeowner in his yard. I offered "Off-Season" discounts. I still have many of those original customers.

When asked - as I usually was - if this was a good time of year to wash, I responded if it was a good time of year to have a dirty house? Good luck in your venture.

P.S. I used to live in West Knoxville and my wife was an RN in Oak Ridge. Great area, loved living there.
 
Chris, just a small introduction of yourself and what you do would be a great start. Some might say, "well what would you charge to do this or that?"
If not then hand them a couple of business cards and explain if they ever need anything done to give you call.
 
Christopher said:
Sounds like what you are doing John worked good.

When you approached those homeowners, what did you say?

I would not want to say the wrong thing and offend them but do want to get the point across.

Thanks John.
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I started in one neighborhood by washing one or two houses. I asked for, and was given, permission to use them as references. I took before/after pics and carried them in a binder. My guaranty was that they owed nothing until the work was complete and that I carried $1M in liability insurance. (I kept a copy of my business license and insurance policy in the binder.) In addition, I wore a uniform, was polite and always said "please" and, in general, treated people the way I would want to be treated. 'Still do!
 
Hey thanks for the info guys. I ran into my land lord at the bank (while talking to my loan officer) Friday afternoon and casually mentioned it and his eyes lit up and said he has some work he wants me to do! The company he runs manages literally 75 - 100 properties. Then, my loan officer asks for a business card also because his parent's driveway is "huge, and his little pressure washer would take forever"! Hopefully these two leads will work out!

Daniel

OH! And it also helps that my landlord is great friends with my girlfriends mom!! Maybe this will work afterall!!
 
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